On request of the mortgagee and before executing a preferred mortgage, the mortgagor shall disclose in writing to the mortgagee the existence of any obligation known to the mortgagor on the vessel to be mortgaged.
After executing a preferred mortgage and before the mortgagee has had a reasonable time to file the mortgage, the mortgagor may not incur, without the consent of the mortgagee, any contractual obligation establishing a lien on the vessel except a lien for—
(1) wages of a stevedore when employed directly by a person listed in section 31341 of this title;
(2) wages for the crew of the vessel;
(3) general average; or
(4) salvage, including contract salvage.
On conviction of a mortgagor under section 31330(a)(1)(A) or (B) of this title for violating this section, the mortgage indebtedness, at the option of the mortgagee, is payable immediately.
(Pub. L. 100–710, title I, § 102(c), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4744.)